04/30/2026
It was an emotional day in Augusta. By a razor slim margin, the Maine Senate upheld Governor Mills' veto of LD 1911.
Our hearts are heavy for the 123,000 Mainers who stood to gain second chances that they have already earned.
We want to acknowledge the courage and vulnerability of the many Mainers who publicly shared their experiences of living with the weight of a past record. Your voices changed the hearts and minds of many.
We are forever grateful to Senator Rachel Talbot Ross for her fearlessness, tenacity, and years of work on criminal records reform that served as the foundation for this policy. She collaborated with stakeholders at every step of the way, garnering bi-partisan support for Clean Slate in the Judiciary Committee and the Legislature. Thank you Senator for leading the charge and for never giving up!
To the members of the Judiciary Committee, we appreciate your diligence and sustained commitment throughout multiple work sessions and revisions, culminating in a final bill shaped by the input of many stakeholders.
We have an immense amount of gratitude for our coalition partners that have worked tirelessly in our shared pursuit of a safer Maine in which more families can access stability and economic security.
We want to thank the many advocates, legislators, organizations, legal experts, medical and social work professionals, prosecutors, businesses, and chambers of commerce that joined us in advancing this grassroots campaign.
We look forward to what lies ahead in the 133rd Legislature!
